Contrary to the tenets of orthodox economists, contemporary research suggests that, rather than seeking always to maximise our personal gain, humans still remain reasonably altruistic and selfless. Nor is it clear that the endless accumulation of wealth always makes us happier. And when we do make decisions, especially those to do with matters of principle, we seem not to engage in the sort of rational “utility-maximizing” calculus that orthodox economic models take as a given. The truth is, in much of our daily life we don’t fit the model all that well.

What can other parties and countries learn from the experience of Iceland´s Social Democrats? Let me suggest three main lessons.

First, politicians must never lose sight of the need to respect democracy and human rights no matter what because, if they do, their moral authority plummets and public trust will be hard to restore; besides, respect for democracy is the right thing to do.

Second, politicians must not permit themselves to lose control of their destiny by selling their souls to oligarchs as many in the US Congress and the Icelandic Parliament have done, resulting in extremely low levels of public trust in the two legislatures. US congressmen spend three days a week on average raising funds for their re-election which may help to explain why Freedom House has recently demoted the US from top rank as a democracy, below that of most West European countries. Icelandic MPs in rural constituencies have been labelled “politically suicidal” if they rise up against the oligarchs.

Third, when constitutional reform is needed, politicians need to outsource the drafting to nationally elected constituent assemblies to ward off self-dealing as was done in the US in 1787 and in Iceland in 2011. While the US constitution was drafted behind closed doors in Philadelphia, however, the Icelandic one was written up in full view of the public, provision by provision, with significant input from ordinary citizens from all walks of life through the constituent assembly´s interactive website.

In sum, political parties need to be on guard against being perceived to behave like interest organizations of politicians for such perceptions tend to undermine public trust, a fundamental pillar of democracy.

You guys are so entertaining. — You have no understanding of what social sciences are and how they differ from natural sciences. You have no understanding of what (or if there can be) an ‘objective fact’ is in the domain of social sciences. You clearly have very little idea about epistemology and ontology in social sciences. Apart from boring comments based on badly digested fragments of right-wing, pro-market (so-called) libertarianism the only fact that emerges from your exchange is your enormous ignorance. You are basically zealots of the biggest religion of all, the Market cult (2:29:48) and its corollary individualism/egotism. And as any other zealot worth his/her salary you want to silence any voice goes against your (Market) God. Keep up this work and continue to provide us with entertainment.